Sustainability practices of entrepreneurial ventures in Uganda: A review of selected case studies

This study systematically reviews sustainability practices among entrepreneurial ventures in Uganda, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using a six-year review period (2020–2025), 73 peer-reviewed studies were analyzed through a systematic narrative synthesis guided by the PRISMA framework. The findings reveal that while sustainability has gained prominence globally, its integration among Ugandan SMEs remains limited, uneven, and largely informal. Key drivers of sustainability adoption include innovation, entrepreneurial competence, access to finance, institutional support, and leadership. Exemplary ventures such as SolarNow, SafeBoda, Fenix International, and Tugende demonstrate that profitability and sustainability can coexist when supportive policies, inclusive financing, and capacity-building mechanisms are in place. Persistent challenges such as inadequate financing, weak regulatory enforcement, low awareness, and infrastructural deficiencies hinder widespread adoption. The study concludes that addressing these structural and institutional barriers is critical for advancing sustainable entrepreneurship in Uganda and achieving relevant Sustainable Development Goals. Recommendations include policy and institutional support, access to green finance, capacity building, standardized sustainability measurement, promotion of best practices, and applied research to strengthen Uganda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The review provides a comprehensive synthesis that informs policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs on pathways to mainstream sustainability in resource-constrained enterprises.